Multiple lightning strikes are captured in this time-lapse photograph. Credit UWEC
By Frank Ross
Everyone who has studied this nation’s founding fathers is familiar with the veracity of George Washington and the primitive, if not foolhardy scientific curiosity of Ben Franklin who tied his fabled key to a kite and experienced the static, if not ecstatic encounter with a bolt of lightning. While we are all familiar with Ben’s escapades, most are not aware that his adventure was the second such event, predated by Thomas-François Dalibard and De Lors who conducted their experiment at Marly-la-Ville in France, several weeks before Franklin’s experiment. As news of these two events spread and stirred the minds of adventurous with a scientific bent, others attempted to replicate this feat. Unfortunately, for George Richmann of Saint Petersburg, Russia, the effort was his last. He rushed home, just ahead of an oncoming storm, set up his experiment and a strike of ball lightning ended his foray into the world of electrical experimentation.
As these pages unfold, I will provide information about lightning and introduce you to the danger of its inherent nature without the necessity of foolhardy escapades. In addition to this general information about the nature and characteristics of lightning, I will introduce you to ways to protect your home, your business and the lives of you and your family.
You may be thinking, what’s the big deal about lightning? Summer thunderstorms pass through our lives sometimes daily, or even multiple times a day without affecting anyone we know. While we may read about someone being struck by lightning, or see a story on TV news broadcasts, for our own life experience it is not a real concern because it has never impacted our personal space.
I say personal space, because lightning is invasive by nature. You don’t have to be struck directly to feel the impact of this illusive killer. Like a thief in the night, it comes in without knocking or warning. You go out for the afternoon and return home to an odor that strikes you as soon as you open the door. Your telephone, computer, stereo, television, refrigerator, air conditioner are all toasted by a surge of electricity that turns wiring to copper residue surrounded by burnt insulation.
Can you avoid this unfortunate experience and keep your personal possessions safe?
The answer would be yes, but first you need to understand what type of thief you’re dealing with.
The more you know about lightning, the safer you and your things will be, so let’s jump right in!
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